CATAWISSA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY May 7, 2018 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Council President Doug Krum. The pledge of allegiance was recited. ROLL CALL: Present were: Doug Krum, AJ McKenney, Roy Klinger, Patty Hess, Gary Steinruck, Linda Kashner, Barbara Reese, Mayor Tim Benner, Attorney Anthony McDonald. READING OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Linda Kashner, 2 nd by Barbara Reese to approve the minutes from previous month s meeting. All Aye A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Linda Kashner to dispense and approve minutes of the previous month s special meeting. All Aye GUESTS TO BE HEARD: Larry Frace of Larry C. Frace Inspections, LLC detailed the items he performed during the month of April, 2018 in Catawissa Borough. Mr. Frace also stated he is available by cell from 7am 5pm and is in the Borough Office on Thursdays from 10am 12pm. CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Yost read a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation stating the department had no objections to Catawissa Borough s Banner resolution that was submitted. A letter was received from Eric Stahley, Columbia County Resiliency Officer stating the Borough has been chosen to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from PEMA which is to be presented during the Columbia County Commissioners meeting on June 7 th at 2pm. Councilman Gary Steinruck volunteered to attend and accept the certificate. The Borough received a notice regarding the 19 th Annual West Branch COG Equipment Show & Training Day to be held at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds on May 16 th. There is no cost for the Borough s employees to attend. MAYOR: Mayor Tim Benner stated he has contacted Locust Township Chief of Police Al Breech and is to send one borough officer per week to get together with an officer of Locust Township to do a layout of Southern Columbia Area High School and the elementary school so all officers will know the layout of the schools. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDICATOR REPORT/RADIOS: Emergency Management Coordinator, Michael Lindenmuth informed Council he spoke to Fred Hunsinger concerning the Public Works Department s radios. Mr. Hunsinger stated if our radios work we should keep them as 9-1-1 does not monitor their frequency anymore. Mr. Lindenmuth noted he was informed the radios were in need of new batteries. Someone is to follow up for replacement battery pricing. 1
Michael Lindenmuth mentioned the training he has completed and also upcoming training he is to participate in. A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Gary Steinruck to have Michael Lindenmuth discuss the need for servicing of the Siren at the Firehall. After the discussion, Gary Steinruck made a motion to have the servicing done to the Siren at the Firehall, 2 nd by Pat Hess. All Aye WATER: Water Authority Superintendent, Cindy Bachman had nothing to report. CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Code Enforcement Officer, Larry C. Frace s report stated the following: (2) investigations, (14) letters, (1) doorhanger and (3) verbal warnings. POLICE: Police Chief Joshua Laidacker read the monthly report which stated during the month of April, 2018 the department responded to (259) calls for service, as reported by the Columbia County Communications Center. The Police SUV had tires replaced while the 2014 Ford had its battery replaced. The department was not awarded the Atlantic Sunrise grant. A drug forum will be held May 9 th from 6pm 8pm at the Catawissa Hose Social Hall. The forum is being presented by Rep. Millard s Office. Officer Gallie attended PNOA training during the month of April. The drug take back was successful, but no weight was available from the DEA. Officer Rebuck worked his last shift on April 30 th. PUBLIC SAFETY: Nothing to report. UTILITIES: Committee Chairperson, Linda Kashner read the totals for outstanding utility accounts. PARKS RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Committee Chairperson Barbara Reese read the total amount of participants and the total tonnage of garbage taken in during Dumpster Day. Committee Chairperson Barbara Reese shared a pamphlet for the Summer Passport Program. It contains names of places a person can visit and receive a sticker confirming the visit. The Quaker Meeting House is included. If a person goes to 10 of the 13 places listed, they can enter to receive a prize. Committee Chairperson Barbara Reese read a letter received from the Degenstein Foundation which included a grant check in the amount of $1500.00 for our Summer Breeze program. Committee Chairperson Barbara Reese stated Kid s Day is set for June 16 th from 11am to 1pm Summer Breeze starts on June 26 th with the Catawissa Military Band. Avenue E and The Monkeephiles are also booked, so far. 2
PROPERTY & BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Committee Chairperson Gary Steinruck stated Larry Frace has given him the Catawissa Community Center s Certificate of Occupancy. Committee Chairperson Gary Steinruck noted the subcontractors from Home Depot are to arrive tomorrow in order to view the installed flooring at the Community Center and how it is buckling. Doolittle Construction is to view the retaining wall at the Quaker Meeting House sometime this week. Committee Chairperson Gary Steinruck stated he is in the process of getting quotes for having tree trunks ground. He noted there are (16) tree trunks to grind. Committee Chairperson Gary Steinruck asked if it was okay to purchase animal traps for use at Greenwood Cemetery to trap groundhogs. Harold Kitchen offered to loan his two traps to the Borough instead. Committee Chairperson Gary Steinruck mentioned the following: The band shell needs patching and painting; The restroom at the town park is to be opened in the a.m. by the borough workers and police officers can close it at approximately 6 6:30 p.m. Police officers will now open and close the bathroom on the weekends; A trail cam will be needed. The opening and closing of the bathroom is to be on a trial basis. Councilwoman Barbara Reese spoke of not being able to move the handicap swing to another location. It is also damaged and needs repair. Engineers are to look over Pine to Church to the creek this week concerning the culvert. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Linda Kashner read the Borough s account balances. Committee Chairperson Linda Kashner brought up about the Borough Manager s cell phone, which is costing the Borough $51.00 per month as to if we really need it. Service is to be stopped for the cell phone. Committee Chairperson Linda Kashner noted the increase to the Health Insurance policies. UNION: Council President Doug Krum stated negotiations are to start with the police department. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A motion was made by Gary Steinruck, 2 nd by Roy Klinger to discuss the sewer truck. Linda Kashner thought it was discussed last month that the borough would purchase the electric department a new truck and give the sewer department the electric department s old truck. Roy Klinger noted that the electric department truck would be overloaded using it for what the sewer department needs it for. Electric Department employee, Harry Young said he would rather see the sewer department get a new truck as it is shot. Councilman Gary Steinruck said the truck at the sewer plant is about shot because it couldn t be properly taken care of during the nasty season, it s a pile of rust. He also stated he thinks it s foolish, other than the winter season out ashing and salting, the truck doesn t get used very much other than for Bob to come back and forth for break. Councilman Roy Klinger stated he thinks we should get a dual-wheel truck. Linda Kashner said to ask Bob about the truck since he only uses it for the sewer twice a year to attend to the sewer lines. Gary Steinruck and Roy Klinger rescinded their motions. The sewer truck is tabled until next month. A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Gary Steinruck to discuss the Retirement Benefits for non-uniform non-union personnel. A vote was taken to have the office staff contribute 6% in 3
order to belong to the pension. Linda Kashner made a motion that all contribution rates will be the same for all employees, 2 nd by Patty Hess. Doug Krum opposed. All others Aye. A motion was made to discuss the Dump Truck Canopy by Linda Kashner, 2 nd by Patty Hess. The quotes received were $1400.00 from Codi Graham and $900.00 from Skip s Welding. A motion was made by AJ McKenney, 2 nd by Barbara Reese to accept Skip s Welding s bid. All Aye A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by AJ McKenney to discuss the replacement of a window at the Police Station. After the discussion, a motion was made by Gary Steinruck, 2 nd by Linda Kasher to purchase the 70 Series window. All Aye NEW BUSINESS: A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Linda Kashner to appoint a Council Vice President. Barbara Reese nominated Gary Steinruck; AJ McKenney nominated Barbara Reese. Vote count for Gary Steinruck was Barbara Reese, Linda Kashner, Patty Hess, Roy Klinger and Doug Krum, Aye. Nay were Gary Steinruck and AJ McKenney. Barbara Reese made a motion, 2 nd by Gary Steinruck to approve a $1.50 per hour temporary raise for Connie Cole and Nancy Yost until a Borough Manager is hired; this will be retroactive back to March 5, 2018. All Aye A motion was made by AJ McKenney, 2 nd by Linda Kashner to discuss the electric meter ordinance 285, 108 in regards to meter testing. Attorney Anthony McDonald said to include this in the codification to delete from the ordinance. AJ McKenney and Linda Kashner rescinded their motions and tabled the discussion until an ordinance change is completed. A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Linda Kashner to discuss repair and/or fabrication of a metal outside stair system at the Borough Hall. They need (2) more quotes, if none are received it should be noted. A motion was made by Patty Hess, 2 nd by Barbara Reese to discuss Keystone Communication s radio quotes for the Catawissa Police Department. It was decided to purchase (4) radios if the price is as was quoted or less. If costars is cheaper they are to go with costars. Motion made by Gary Steinruck, 2 nd by Roy Klinger. All Aye A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Gary Steinruck to hire part-time seasonal worker, Benjamin Clark. All Aye A motion to discuss having Catawissa Borough Council Members sign a harassment policy was made by Linda Kashner, 2 nd by AJ McKenney. After the discussion it was decided to table this until the next meeting. Council President Doug Krum brought up an issue stating Ted Long called him and requested the Electric Department s bucket truck for use at the Bloomsburg Fair grounds. Doug Krum is to look into it. Council President Doug Krum opened the bids received for the paving project on Mountain Road. Bids received were: Robert C. Young $90027.50, Barletta Materials $85249.30, New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. $96296.00, Pennsy Supply $94579.40 and Sokol $74975.10. A motion was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Gary Steinruck to accept the bid from Sokol. All Aye A motion was made by Linda Kashner, 2 nd by Roy Klinger to have Creative Plantscapes spray the softball infield not to exceed $200.00. All Aye FINANCE PAYMENT OF BILLS: A motion to accept payment of bills as written was made by Barbara Reese, 2 nd by Linda Kashner. All Aye 4
GUESTS TO BE HEARD: Resident Debbie Dombroski spoke concerning the parking situation on North 2 nd Street. Especially the wheel to curb and parking during inclement weather. Ms Dombroski also spoke of an unhooked trailer on the street. Ms Dombroski also feels that not all residents are being treated the same as far as some being ticketed and others not. Police Chief Joshua Laidacker told Ms Dombroski if she notices someone that should be ticketed she should contact his office and they will check it out. Police Chief Joshua Laidacker is to check into the Ordinance concerning unhooked trailers on borough streets. Councilman Gary Steinruck wanted to acknowledge and thank Wayne Kashner for his help with the softball field. ADJORNMENT: Motion made by Linda Kashner, 2 nd by Barbara Reese. All Aye. MEETING ADJORNED Submitted by: Nancy M. Yost Treasurer/Admin. Asst. 5